[ad_1]
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – In the height of deer collision season, drivers in West Virginia are at the highest risk within the nation for hitting animals.
A latest State Farm evaluation revealed that over 2 million automobile and animal collisions occurred within the U.S. from July of 2020 to June of 2021, which is a 7.2% enhance from the earlier yr. Keep in thoughts that these numbers solely embrace collisions that had been claimed on insurance coverage and are doubtless in need of the true variety of deer-related accidents.
West Virginia drivers have a 1 in 37 probability of being concerned in an animal collision, which is the highest within the nation, identical to final yr. Other high-risk states are Montanna, South Dakota, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, in which there’s a 1 in 54 probability of an animal collision, reported probably the most animal accidents at 166,404.
Even although this quantity consists of all animal and automobile collisions, deer are by the far probably the most frequent. 67% or 1.4 million of these accidents concerned a deer collision. Other animals, together with chickens, alligators, bats, cows, pigs, armadillos, bears, donkeys, eagles, horses, coyotes, owls, cats and canine had been additionally recorded within the whole collisions.
State Farm warns that drivers needs to be notably cautious when driving over the following few months; the highest price of animal collisions happen in October, November and December. In order to cut back your risk of hitting an animal, comply with the following pointers.
- Reduce distractions, that means put the cellular phone away
- Slow down, don’t pace
- Scan the highway for animals irrespective of the place and if you’re driving
- Pay consideration to “deer crossing” and different animal indicators
- Be particularly cautious throughout deer looking and mating season (October via December)
- Be particularly cautious between daybreak and nightfall — when deer are most lively
- Watch for herds; should you see one deer, there are in all probability extra close by
- If you see a deer within the highway, flick your excessive beams or honk your horn to scare it away
- If you’ll be able to’t keep away from hitting the animal, brake as vital however don’t swerve off the highway
- Stay within the middle lane when you’ll be able to, so you’ve gotten extra time to see the deer
Animal-caused accidents will be lethal to passengers, automobiles and animals. Exercise warning when driving this deer season.
If you do find yourself hitting an animal, take a deep breath, ensure you and your passengers are okay. If the animal is giant and nonetheless there after you hit it, name 911 and don’t strategy it.
[ad_2]
